Beginner’s Guide To Craft Beer In Croatia

Guys, it's finally happening! Craft beer has arrived in Croatia through the side door just a couple of years ago, but now it totally took off. Craft beer momentum is shaking the country.

Our Guide To Craft Beer In Croatia

I wrote a post about Best places to have a beer in Zagreb back in 2013. And guilty as charged, I hadn't updated it for a while. But then, months ago one reader accused me of my post being total BS. ‘Cause, truth be told, the beer scene in Croatia, and particularly in Zagreb, has completely improved in just few years, that in all honesty my post was exactly that – total BS. I've updated it recently, and it's absolutely relevant now.

Anyways, back to craft beer scene in my beloved Croatia. You know microbreweries were always big in Quebec, and this subject instantly warms my heart .

Best craft beer in Croatia

The craft beer revolution has started in Croatia, my friend, and nothing will ever be the same. New guys are waking up everyday in Croatia, adding yet another craft beer on market. We'll perhaps never be able to keep a track on all of them, but we'll try to introduce to you the most popular ones at the moment.

The most popular brew in Croatia is s pale ale, but other brews, like India pale ale, porter, stout, and Dunkel follow on.

Here we go!

Zmajska pivovara

As soon as Andrej Capka bottled his first beer, back in September 20014, his microbrewery Zmajska Pivovara, was named 9the best new brewery in the world by Ratebeer. Not a bad start when we know that the competition included 3800 new breweries. On the same site, their porter was consequently voted the best Croatian craft beer. Zmajska pivovara produces today four types of beer: American Pale Ale, Porter, India Pale Ale, and American Wheat Ale. They all come in 0,33 l bottles, and its also available on tap.

Bujska pivovara

Croatian Craft Beer | San Servolo Beer | Photo credit: San Servolo

Back in 2013, brothers Grbac from Istria, open their brewery, and put on market a craft beer label – San Servolo. Their dark beer, according to Ratebeer, is the fourth best Croatian craft beer. They also produce red lager, and light pilsner. San Servolo beers are non-filtered, and they have a second fermentation in the bottle. We also love a design of their bottle. You can find on market as many as eight types of San Servolo beer: APA, Imperial Pils, Teranino Fruit Beer, Truffler Herb Beer, IPA, Amber Lager, Czech Pilsner, and Dark Pilsner.

Nova runda

Two longtime friends and beer aficionados, Marko Filipin and Miroslav Suvak, after years of home-brewing, decided to put on market their APAs. They established their brewery – Nova Runda – back in 2013. Their market approach is in only offering fresh, draft beer directly from the barrel. Nova Runda offers two types of American Pale Ale, Nova Runda, and Sibenski Ucenjak; two types of Porter, one with nettle plant, Brown Ale, and India Pale Ale.

Varionica

Matija Mrazek and Davor Simicic established Varionica Brewery in 2014. Today they produce three labels: Pale Ale, Neon Stout, and Sunny Lager Wave. At the moment they only offer their Pale Ale in bottles.

Medvedgrad

The oldest microbrewery in Croatia, Medvedgrad has been brewing their beer for 20 years. Medvedgrad beer for years was only served as draft beer in their pubs in Zagreb, and it wasn't until 2013 that they bottled their first quantities of dark lager – Gricka vjestica. Today the company runs three pubs in Zagreb: Mali medo in Tkalciceva Street, Medvedgrad in Ilica Street, and in Samoborska Road. Their labels include pilsner Zlatni medvjed, dark lager Gricka vjestica and Mrki medvjed, wheat beer Dva klasa, Pale Ale, Agram Stout, Indian pale ale Fakin, and black IPA Crni Jack.

Bura Brew

Another Istrian microbrewery, Bura Brew was established in 2014 in Porec. Today their labels include, gold ale Optimist, amber ale Redsand, and indian pale ale Tornado. They put on market only 0,33 l bottles, but plan to add 0,75 l bottles and barrels.

Visibaba

Established by two Belgians in Croatia, Visibaba brewery produces three beers: Indian pale ale – Janis Hoplin, belgian witbier – John Lemon, and a porter – Bob Barley.

Vunetovo

The first craft beer from the island of Hvar, Vunetovo brewery is run by a husband- wife duo, Anna & Josko. Their brewery is set in their family house in the west part of Hvar Town. Vunetovo produces and bottles three crafts: stout, dunkel-weizen, and wheat beer. At the moment their beer is only available at the brewery.

Prvo Visko Pivo

Ha! There is even craft beers from the tiny island of Vis. OK, the beer, is actually brewed in Norway, because one of the founders of this brewery is a well-known Norwegian brew-master – Kjetil Jikun of Nøgne Ø brewery (OK, he has sold this one since!). Prvo Visko Pivo labels include: Gose, American Pale Ale, Porter, Saison, and Saison Indian Pale Ale.

Garden Brewery

One of the latest breweries to open in Zagreb, Garden Brewery already produces ten labels including APAs, IPAs, Stout, and Porter. The brewery is located in industrial part in east Zagreb. Besides production facilities, Garden also features a taproom, where they organize night entertainment. They teamed up with local burger joint, Submarine BBQ, who offer yummy, gourmet burgers to go with the beer. And, yes, the garden brewery ships their beers in over 25 European countries.

We've just scratched the surface. There are so many more craft breweries on market already, like 5th Element, Red Baron, Marinsko, Razum, Barba, Brlog, and certainly many, many more to come. Once in Croatia ask for what's brewing at the moment..

Best pubs in Croatia to taste local craft beer

Best pubs in Zagreb

Tolkien's House: Located at Opatovina 49, just next to Opatovina Park, Tolkien's House has been THE place to go in Zagreb when it comes to beer since 1996. Waiters there know their craft and take their time to suggest, educate and introduce to you every of 90 labels they serve at Tolkien's.

Craft Room: Open in 2015 Craft Room is a true tap room, with over 13 beers on tap. Interior is a bit funky with green-painted walls and hunter's lodge decor, but a choice of over 100 Croatian and international craft beers makes it all good. Craft Room also serves beer-accommpanying dishes, like burgers, saussages, onion rings, and alike. Staff is friendly.

Leopold's Delicatessen Bar: Leopold's is a lovely bar in Split's downtown offering an extensive selection of Croatian craft beers (including 4 on taps) and some international labels. Leo's is a center of craft beer scene in Split.

Kobaje: This bar is located out of the downtown, but being not far from Gripe complex, it's still quite central (especially considering locals whereabouts). Kobaje for sometime was one of rare bars in Split serving something more than lagers. Today with other bars specializing in craft beer, Kobaje needs to step up its game.

Best pubs in Istria

Beer & Steakhouse San Servolo: San Servolo was the first craft beer produced in Istria, a land of wine. The brewery runs their own beer & steakhouse, just outside of Buje, on the road to Momjan. With their rxtensive menu, it's actually more than a steakhouse. They serve their beer, but also local wines, and bio juices. A great place to visit if you are in Istria. The summer terrace is awesome and offers lovely views over the countryside, and Piran Bay.

Habitat, Porec: Despite its location, just across the seaside promenade in downtown Porec, Habitat has remained mostly bar where locals hang out. It's rather a small bar, inside and outside, but it serves great coffee, a good selection of freshly squeezed juices, and a selection of Croatian craft beers.

Prices

You can expect to pay it in a store anywhere from 10 to 14 kn for a 0,33 l bottle. In bars prices are higher. So you can expect to pay anywhere from 21 kn to 30 kn for a 0,33 l bottled Croatian craft beer.

Where to buy craft beer in Croatia

Magic Beer Room

A garage bottle store just across the prison in Zagreb (ha!), Magic Beer Room has a great selection of Belgian, English, American, Czech, and Croatian craft beer including famed craft beers like Brewdog, and Mikkeller. A bit out of the way, but worth stopping by if you are in search of some rare finds, like to meet few odd locals, and thrive to get into the center of Croatian home brew scene. Magic beer room has also few tables to taste some of the beers on stock, and occasionally hosts home brew festivals in their backyard. Great & knowledgeable staff and affordable prices. Contacts | a: Dr. Luje Naletilica 4, Zagreb | Facebook

Pivoteka

Hrvoje Lindic, beer-aficionado, and an owner of Bor Bar in Samobor, opened this awesome beer shop in 2015. At Pivoteka you'll find beers from all over the world, but also a good selection of beer-related accessories, like openers, mugs and steins. Contacts | a: Stupnicka 14, Zagreb | Website (Croatian only)

Beershop

Beershop opened back in 2004, as the first Croatian online beer shop. Few years afterwards, it opened its brick-and-mortar store on Ljubljanica 5 where it's still today. Beershop, besides over 200 beer labels from allover the world, sells also beer brewing ingredients, but it also regularly hosts home-brewing courses.Website (Croatian only)

Svijet piva

This small store opened in 2013 in Maksimirska Street, Svijet piva today offers over 400 beer labels among them a great selection of Mikkeller and To Ol. Prices are a bit higher than at above mentioned stores in Zagreb. Contacts | a: Maksimirska 45, Zagreb | Facebook

Mali ducan

This is perhaps the coolest beer store in Croatia, and the best one in Split. Mali ducan is nothing more than the neighborhood's corner store that at certain time started offering a selection of over 200 beer labels. The store is open from early morning to late night (until 1 am, except on Sunday). It's next to a small park where locals and locals alike often sample Mali ducan's offer. Contacts | a: Trumbiceva 7, Split | Facebook

Stella Beer To Go

Unexpected store in unexpected place, but it shows what few enthusiasts can do – a store in a small village of Medulin offers a great selection of Croatian and international craft beers, as well as their own craft beer on tap. Contacts | a: Funtana 1, Medulin | Facebook

A Complete Guide To Croatian Craft Beers | Pin Me For Later!

Craft beer events

Opatovina Beer Fest

Although Opatovina Beer Fest was held for the first time in July 2016, this festival is one I am the most excited about. It's held in Opatovina Street, the first Croatian beer street, and a home to some of the best pubs in Zagreb & Croatia, Tolkien's, Craft Beer Room, Harat's, etc..

The festival brought together over 15 breweries (mostly Croatians, but some international as well like Bevkg from Austria, and HopsBrev from Slovenia.

BEERanje

Started in 2015, BEERanje takes place in mid-June, in the garden of Maritime Museum in Rijeka. The festival hosts workshops, beer competitions, and lots of good music.

Beerfest Sjever

Although only three years old, this beer festival, held in Cakovec at the beginning of October, is the longest lasting craft beer festival in Croatia. The festival is a place to taste some of the best Croatian craft beers, learn how to become a home brewer, meet many home brewers, craft beer producers, and enjoy in good food and good music. Central place is the Stari Hrast pub in downtown Cakovec.

Medulin Craft Beer Festival

This festival takes place in Medulin near Pula at the beginning of September. Just in its second edition, in 2016, the festival already had 20 microbreweries from 6 countries presenting over 150 tap beers.

Hmeljevo

Hmeljevo is a craft and home-brew festival taking place in Split. Last year it was hosted in summer cinema near Bacvice beach, and over 1500 visitors attended. Ticket is around 100 kn and it covers unlimited tastings.

We hope our guide to craft beer in Croatia helps you taste local beers while on holidays in Croatia. If you have any suggestions, questions, or just want to drop us a line, please do so in the comments section below. Cheers!

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Comments

a few things about craft beer in Split: – To Je To doesn’t exist anymore. It closed – Mali Duncan is going to move to another place, tomorrow. Next to the place they are now. I will trie to get theirnew adress tomorrow. – I found a little other bar with some craft beers on draft and in the bottle: Sanctuary. At the little square between Cosmijeva and Kruziceva.

Thank you my friend. Nothing doing in this field when I visited Dubrovnik some years back but now, for my forthcoming Dalmatian island hopping summer break (Split – Dubrovnik round trip), I have some very helpful advice to guide me in the right direction (literally and figuratively) in finding something, and somewhere, decent to drink! Cheers

Hi Bernie, glad I could help! Yes, on Hvar go to Vunetovo, Split has already pretty strong craft beer scene, and Dubrovnik is slowly picking up. So far the best place in Dubrovnik for craft beer (to my knowledge) is Buzz Bar in the old town. Have fun, and once you are back, let us know your thoughts on Croatian craft beers.

Having had a fantastic holiday, and enjoyed some of the local beers my thoughts are that, all in all, they are excellent (avoiding the mass market beer on tap that is!). I was looking forward to the dark lagers and was not to be disappointed. Karlovačko and Tomislav Crno are two of some I recall trying (admittedly not craft but still to my taste). These dark lagers (in the Czech style) are, by far, my favorite lager style. Discovered an excellent restaurant in Split, Zoi, on Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda (the waterfront) built into Diocletian’s Palace wall. Fabulous range of craft beers (and wines “for the ladies”) of which I hugely enjoyed some bottles of Bura Brew Red Sand ale. With its terrace views over the harbour and the thronging crowds, and ‘chill-out’ music it’s an absolute must when visiting here. Lastly, again in Split, visited Leopold’s (see Frank’s main article above) to obtain some of their excellent bottled ranges for bringing home. But that shall be is to be appreciated another day!